Drax Biomass, a wood pellet producer and a subsidiary of UK-based Drax Group plc, will relocate its headquarters to Monroe, Louisiana.

Last April Drax Biomass acquired Louisiana Pellets with a winning auction bid of $35.4 million. Drax Biomass currently operates two pellet manufacturing facilities in Bastrop, Louisiana and Gloster, Mississippi, as well as a port storage and transit facility in Port Allen, Louisiana.

Pete Madden, President & CEO of Drax Biomass, said “In order to shift to a more operationally focused business model, Drax Biomass will move its headquarters to Monroe, Louisiana, from Atlanta, Georgia. The relocation will position our headquarters closer to our three pellet plants and port facility in the Gulf region of Louisiana and Mississippi.

“We want to continue to have a robust and reliable biomass business, providing high-quality, low-cost, sustainable wood pellets, with 30% self-supply to Drax Power. These changes will enhance our ability to reach these objectives. This decision is the logical next step to maximize cost efficiency and enhance our ability to operate in the U.S. Gulf states,” Madden added.

“By sustaining good quality jobs, our industry is playing an important role in the communities in which we operate. This is a core principle for us, and our relocation strengthens that commitment. We look forward to being closer to the forests we depend upon, our suppliers and partners in the community,” he said.